tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162966109342239965.post5458779578052178217..comments2009-11-08T18:29:14.884-08:00mikeymckayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03744581201795841624noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162966109342239965.post-38445249435457969062005-12-02T07:51:11.000-08:002005-12-02T07:51:11.000-08:00I have no facts or references to back me up, but I&#39;ve always understood that cell phone towers are connected to the telephone network by wire. The reason cell phones are more available than land lines in developing areas is that it&#39;s easier to run one wire to a cell tower than wires to each house. I think, also, the &quot;local infrastructure&quot; Moolman refers to in your quote is the electrical system.<br><br>If there was a microwave transmission feature of this solar cell tower, they would have mentioned it. That would make it more complicated and expensive, though.<br><br>At this point in the history of technology, it&#39;s worth specifying that by solar they probably mean photo voltaic with some batteries (probabaly lead-acid). There are a few very cool new solar powered electricity generating ideas that are being deployed right now. One involves lots of mirrors that heat a conventional liquid sodium medium to run conventional steam turbines. This system is cheaper because it uses a lot &#39;off the shelf&#39; parts. It also has a plus over photo voltaic systems in that the liquid sodium can stay hot all night long, so you get consistent 24 hour production of electricity with no batteries needed.Jeff Lavezzohttp://lavezzo.comnoreply@blogger.com